News Watch
Algeria risky
Travel to Algeria poses a risk to personal safety, the Department of State says. Sustained small-scale terrorist attacks occur regularly, particularly in northeastern Algeria.
Viet Nam floods
Floods in central Viet Nam throughout October and early November killed hundreds of people and caused property and crop damage. Health officials were concerned about the spread of disease. In Hoi An, about 150 historic houses were submerged.
Mali concerns
The Department of State advises avoiding travel to northern Mali. Areas of particular concern include the Mali-Niger and Mali-Algeria borders, the Kidal region and the city of Tinzawaten.
Nigeria a can of worms
The Department of State continues to warn of the possible dangers of travel to Nigeria.
Indonesia volcanoes rumbling
Indonesia experienced an increase in earthquakes, tremors and volcanic activity late in 2007.
Somalia dangers
The Department of State continues to warn against all travel to Somalia, including to the self-proclaimed “independent Republic of Somaliland.”
Cyclone hits Bangladesh
Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh on Nov. 15 with 155-mph winds and tidal surges of 12 feet. It left about 3,500 people dead, more than 30,000 injured and more than two million displaced. Massive humanitarian and international aid was rushed to the area.
Current warnings for January 2008
As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 28 destinations: Eritrea, Somalia, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Lebanon, Indonesia, Yemen, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Algeri
Eritrea tensions
The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals. To travel outside Asmara city limits, all visitors and residents must apply with the GSE 10 days in advance for permission.
Taquile Island observations
Charles Treadgold’s letter about taking maps to Peru’s Taquile Island (Nov. ’05, pg. 44) got me thinking about other things that would be most appreciated by the people there. I visited in 1992, but from what I have read about the place it seems not to have changed much.
Ask Steve » Minimize jet lag, travel in France and Prague
QSTEVE, what have you found to be the best way to minimize the effects of jet lag? — Henry Ebbets, Prescott, AZ
Hotel Husa Chamartin in Spain
We were looking for a hotel that would be close to the train station in Madrid, SPAIN, with easy access to downtown and also reasonably close to the airport. We eventually found a hotel on the Internet which seemed to come pretty close to our criteria.
Cruise in Russia
In August ’03, my husband and I took a wonderful 12-day trip to Russia with Lexcorp Cruise & Tour Marketing (3401 Investment Blvd., Ste. 3, Hayward, CA 94545-3819; phone 800/578-3401). They have over 20 years’ experience in travel.